Sewer System Management

There are approximately 16,000 miles of sewers and more than 450,000 manholes in the Metro Water District. Sewers and manholes within the District range in age from new to over 100 years old. As the systems continue to age, proper inspections and maintenance are critical. Inspection and maintenance programs have been found to be helpful in meeting permit obligations, reducing or preventing SSOs, maintaining superior system performance, extending the longevity of sewer system components, maintaining relatively high customer satisfaction, protecting wastewater treatment plants and protecting human health and the environment.

All local wastewater providers within the District must establish or maintain a wastewater collection system inspection and maintenance program. These programs should consist of the following minimum elements as outlined in the Wastewater Management Plan:

• Sewer System Inventory and Mapping
• Sewer System Asset Management
• Sewer System Inspection Program
• Sewer System Maintenance Program
• Sewer System Rehabilitation Program
• Capacity Certification Program
• Grease Management Program
• Sewer System Overflow Emergency Response Program
• Sewer System Inspection and Maintenance Training

Sewer Links

• EPA’s Asset Management Page
• EPA’s Guide for Evaluating CMOM Programs at Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems
• Cobb County's Capacity, Management, Operation and Maintenance Program
• Gwinnett County’s Unclog the FOG Page
• Georgia FOG Alliance (Fats, Oils and Grease) 
• EPA’s Sanitary Sewer Overflow Toolbox